Mt Coot-tha walking tracks and bike trails
Explore Mt Coot-tha Reserve on foot or by bike. Find out about walking and riding trails. Download the track map.
Popular walking tracks
Hike to Mt Coot-tha Lookout, learn about the area’s rich history and see seasonal waterfalls on the reserve's most-loved walks.
Start at the J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and follow the mostly paved path up to the roundabout near the lookout. The track includes some stairs.
Stroll through open eucalypt forest and catch glimpses of the city. The track starts at the entry to the J.C. Slaughter Falls Picnic Area and ends near the lookout.
See the remains of an old gold mine and learn about the life of a miner along the way. The track starts at the Gold Mine Picnic Area. This easy return walk is suitable for all fitness levels.
Every visit to the falls is different. You will find rock ledges and trickles of water during the dry months, and a flowing waterfall after heavy rain. This connects to other tracks, including the Eugenia Circuit and Stringybark Track.
Wind past eucalypt woodland, through vine forest and across creeks. Access to this moderately challenging track is via the Simpson Falls Track. It links with tracks to various picnic areas.
Get your heart rate up and keep an eye out for water dragons, butterflies and birds. This moderately challenging return route starts at Sir Samuel Griffith Drive, near the Reservoir Trail car park.
Download the Mt Coot-tha Forest Track Map to find information about the reserve’s tracks, trails and features.
Ride the trails
Mt Coot-tha Reserve offers around 25 km of mountain biking trails. They range in difficulty from easy to very challenging.
You can also ride on more than 31 km of shared-use trails. For everyone’s safety, make sure you give way to walkers, runners and horse riders.
Popular bike trails
Popular with beginner riders, this trail is perfect to practice your mountain biking skills.
Connect with another trail, such as Skink Link or the more challenging Dingo Trail.
Warm up on this short but challenging route, starting and finishing at the car park on Gap Creek Road.
If this is too easy, take the link up to the much harder Curlew Circuit.
Navigate wall-ride berms, log rollovers and drop offs on this technical, one-way downhill track.
Pipeline Trail is considered the most difficult bike track in the reserve. It should only be attempted by experienced riders.
Put your riding skills to the test on this challenging trail. Connect with Cubberla Creek Trail, Bandicoot Byway or Wallaby Way for a longer ride.
Trail difficulty
Mt Coot-tha's bike trails are graded to help you choose routes based on your experience, fitness and skill level.
Pick an appropriate trail when riding in the forest.
You can find bike track locations and gradings in the track map.
Mt Coot-tha Trail Care program
The Mt Coot-tha Trail Care program is a community-driven initiative. It aims to maintain and improve Brisbane’s mountain bike trails and protect the natural environment around these trails.
The program is for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to keep the trails safe and sustainable.
As part of Council’s commitment to a clean and sustainable Brisbane, the program supports the following objectives.
- Community involvement: The program is for all Brisbane residents. Volunteers get help and support to maintain trails.
- Partnership: The program is a collaboration between Brisbane's mountain biking community and Council. It ensures trails are safe, well-maintained and resilient to weather.
- Environmental protection: The program balances trail use with conservation. This ensures the trails are sustainable and have little impact on the environment.
- Sustainability and safety: The program protects the environmental values of Mt Coot-tha Reserve. It also prioritises the safety of trail users and volunteers.
How to get involved
If you are interested in getting involved in this program, register online.
An experienced contractor and the Mt Coot-tha Trail Care team will support you with training and guidance.
Upcoming trail care days
- 7-11am, Thursday 21 August 2025.
Trail update notifications
To get updates on trail closures, re-openings, or maintenance work, email Council with the word 'subscribe' in the subject line.
Mt Coot-tha Reserve Mountain Bike Concept Plan
Council is working with the community to create new, sustainable mountain biking opportunities at Mt Coot-tha Reserve.
These works include:
- upgrading several mountain bike trails in Gap Creek and Gold Creek reserves
- closing unsanctioned trails to protect the environment and visitors
- formalising new, authorised trails.
Check onsite signage for the latest trail access and closure information.
Download the Mt Coot-tha Reserve Mountain Bike Concept Plan to discover more.